THE English rebel cricket tour of South Africa turned into a humiliating shambles yesterday, after the South African Cricket Union announced that 'in view of the recent dramatic political developments' it had decided to make a 'gesture of conciliation and compromise' and cut the tour by half.

Sacu's managing director, Dr Ali Bacher, said the National Sports Congress, which has spearheaded the anti-tour effort, has in return agreed to call off demonstrations at the remaining four games, all one-day inter-nationals.

Mike Gatting's men were said to be 'stunned and confused' by the news that they will be flying home two weeks early, on February 23 scrapping the second unofficial test and shortening the one-day international series from six to four.

Dr Bacher said the two groups met after 'an influential third party' had prevailed upon them to try to reach an accord.

Observers are not ruling out intervention from a cabinet minister concerned that the tour was complicating a sensitive situation.

But sources close to Sacu said it was the African National Congress which stepped in decisively on Saturday, when Mr Nelson Mandela's release was announced by President FW de Klerk.

It was feared more violence between police and anti-tour factions in Cape Town, where Gatting's side were due to go this week, could have upset the new climate of conciliation.

Whether the protests will cease remains to be seen. Representatives of anti-tour groups in Cape Town and Durban where the second of the games will be played on Sunday said they would be meeting over the next 24 hours to make a decision on whether to push their initial demand that the tour be stopped altogether.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Dr Bacher, team manager David Graveney, and captain Mike Gatting attempted to put a positive gloss on the setback they had been warned repeatedly to expect.

Dr Bacher said that, while not all cricket fans would agree with the decision, he hoped that 'people who value the future of the country and the game see the need to accommodate all political aspirations and will see our decision in this light. We support what's happening in the country and we would like to be part of it.'

Gatting said he had 'seen a lot more of South Africa for myself now' and so understood more about the country. He said he was 'very happy that doors had been opened between the NSC and the Sacu, which is a big plus.'

Mr Graveney said that 'as someone who is not South African' he felt 'honoured to have witnessed what has taken place in the country over the last 10 days.'

Asked if the violent clashes surrounding the tour had not prompted him to reconsider, he said some of the demonstrators had been injured some distance from the ground and there were 'a number of factors involved. We expressed our concern at the time. We could do no more than that.'

Dr Bacher was more candid about the conflict the tour has caused. 'We must acknowledge that the tour has been divisive,' he said.

Sacu will have to make up the financial shortfall on the tour. Dr Bacher said he would soon be involved in 'intense lobbying' of commercial and industrial groups who have 'pledged support in the past.'

On the next leg of the tour, scheduled for November, Graveney said the 16 players would 'honour their contractual obligations,' to which Gatting confidently added that the 'circumstances by then won't be the same.'